From the UK Church's complicity in the transatlantic slave trade to the whitewashing of Christianity throughout history, the Church has a lot to answer for when it comes to race relations. Christianity has been dubbed the white man's religion, yet the Bible speaks of an impartial God and shows us a diverse body of believers.  
  
__It's time for the Church to start talking about race.__  
   
Ben Lindsay offers eye-opening insights into the black religious experience, challenging the status quo in white majority churches. Filled with examples from real-life stories, including his own, and insightful questions, this book offers a comprehensive analysis of race relations in the Church in the UK and shows us how we can work together to create a truly inclusive church community.

Ben Lindsay

We Need To Talk about Race

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1 Is it because I’m black?

Level playing field?

For your consideration

2 Family feud

Colour-blindness and colour consciousness

Why be inclusive?

Culture

Reconciliation

3 Why black man dey suffer

The Church and slavery

Direct impact

Body politics

Solutions

4 You don’t see us

White Jesus?

Out of Africa

Contextualization

Interlude: Don’t touch my hair

Temi

Jennifer

Nana

Eleasah

Vivienne

5 Love like this

One nation?

Confessions, repentance and forgiveness

Biblical radical solidarity

6 Kick in the door

Representation matters

Imposter syndrome and integration fatigue

The Guinness effect

Modelling

Assimilation/tokenism

Power

Interlude: Black (wo)man in a white world

7 Jesus walks

Social justice or social welfare

The light

8 Let’s push things forward

Black agency

White allies

My people . . . hold on

Fight the power or power the fight?

Unmuted

Bibliography

Song credits

Notes

From the UK Church’s complicity in the transatlantic slave trade to the whitewashing of Christianity throughout history, the Church has a lot to answer for when it comes to race relations. Christianity has been dubbed the white man’s religion, yet the Bible speaks of an impartial God and shows us a diverse body of believers.  
  
It’s time for the Church to start talking about race.  
  
Ben Lindsay offers eye-opening insights into the black religious experience, challenging the status quo in white majority churches. Filled with examples from real-life stories, including his own, and insightful questions, this book offers a comprehensive analysis of race relations in the Church in the UK and shows us how we can work together to create a truly inclusive church community.

\["For modern Christians engaging with society","Ben Lindsay offers eye-opening insights into the black experience of Church","You'll better understand issues of race in Christianity and society"\]

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1 Is it because I'm black?

2 Family feud

3 Why black man dey suffer

4 You don't see us

Interlude: Don't touch my hair

5 Love like this

6 Kick in the door

Interlude: Black (wo)man in a white world

(Interview with the Revd Dr Kate Coleman)

7 Jesus walks

8 Let's push things forward

Bibliography

Song credits

Notes

Ben Lindsay’s book is a must-read for the UK church. He is lucid, punchy and deeply honest about the issue of racism in the UK today, and in the UK church. It is my prayer that we heed this call and respond together to the mandate to challenge discrimination in all its forms.

\- Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury

This is one of the most important books to be written in recent years and is essential reading for every Christian and especially every church leader in the UK. Ben puts on speakerphone the voices of people of colour which are often whispered or silent and invites us to listen.

\- Selina Stone, Lecturer in Political Theology, St Mellitus College

Thoughtful and well considered, Ben Lindsay tackles the space where race, religion, and culture intersect, in a book that is both insightful and relatable at once.

\- Chimene Suleyman, The Good Immigrant USA co-editor, The Good Immigrant contributor

Too often Christians have assumed that being colour blind is the best way to approach race and ethnicity in the church. Ben Lindsay’s compelling book opens our eyes to this naivety and challenges us to be willing to have a more serious conversation. At this critical moment in our national life where race, immigration and the UK’s relationship with the world is being negotiated, this important and timely book needs to be read, discussed and acted upon.

\- Dr Krish Kandiah: Founding Director: Home for Good, author of God is Stranger

Ben Lindsay's book is a fascinating eye-opener around history and representation in the church. Ben shines a light on the struggle with being a black Christian and being black in a majority white church with sensitivity, fact and practical strategies to bring churches into the modern day conversation. A must read.

\- Jasmine Dotiwala, Head of Youth Engagement, Media Trust

Ben Lindsay challenges Christians racialised as white to consider the legacies of white privilege in the contemporary church. Serious engagement with the contents of the book demand radical action in the composition of leadership, persistent Christian anti-racist practice, and exorcism from the demon of 'colour blindness.’

\- Robert Beckford, Professor of Theology, Canterbury Christ Church University.

I am a black British born man and not only does Ben articulate the subject which is so personal to me, he is also fearless and faces it head on in this book by stating the obvious issues around race, colour and matters that are big in the wider church.

\- Noel Robinson, Musician and Worship Leader

This book should be read by all in senior leadership and those involved in theological education. Until this issue is addressed head on in the church and young black people are able to see visible images of themselves in senior leadership within the church, then the church’s mission will be seriously damaged and impeded. I will be telling lots of people about this book as it is more than an excellent read – it is geared for action.

\- The Revd Prebendary Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons

Delivered with a perfect balance of truth and grace, this book will open the eyes of many. As a young black man navigating in a predominantly white world, this book is a timely weapon of wisdom and a game-changer.

\- Guvna B, rap artist and author of Unpopular Culture

Ben Lindsay says we need to talk about race, and he's right. Through an impressive synthesis of Scripture, history, literature, pop culture, sociology and personal narrative, Ben invites us to have a much-needed conversation, and gives us a host of resources to help us. Provocative, frank and often challenging, this is also a pastoral and very human book, with insights to consider on virtually every page.

\- Andrew Wilson, Teaching Pastor, King's Church London

Ben is a rarity. In his book he tackles some of the difficult issues that relate to race, such as white privilege and colour blindness. Through the careful use of life stories Ben highlights the perennial challenges faced by people of colour in predominately white churches and suggests possible ways in which such ongoing negative experiences can be addressed by the church.

This is an excellent book. If churches can read this book with the openness it calls for, it can, over time, become a game changer for so many churches engaged in the complex world of building a ‘church for all nations.’

\- Wale Hudson Roberts, Baptist Union of Great Britain's first Racial Justice Co-ordinator

This book reminds us and also challenges us to keep the conversation open about individual experiences, fears and deep concerns regarding race. I believe the church has come a long way but it has much further to go. This book will help in that process.

\- Les Isaac, Co-founder of Street Pastors

Ben Lindsay offers a comprehensive analysis of race relations in the UK Church &amp; shows us how, and why, we can work together to create a truly inclusive church community.

__Ben Lindsay__ is a pastor at Emmanuel Church London. He is passionate about inclusion and wants to see a racially diverse church that better serves and represents the local context. Ben is CEO and founder of Power The Fight, a charity empowering communities to end youth violence. He has a background working in local government and the charity sector. This is his first book.

From the UK Church's complicity in the transatlantic slave trade to the whitewashing of Christianity throughout history, the Church has a lot to answer for when it comes to race relations. Christianity has been dubbed the white man's religion, yet the Bible speaks of an impartial God and shows us a diverse body of believers.

__It's time for the Church to start talking about race.__

Ben Lindsay offers eye-opening insights into the black religious experience, challenging the status quo in white majority churches. Filled with examples from real-life stories, including his own, and insightful questions, this book offers a comprehensive analysis of race relations in the Church in the UK and shows us how we can work together to create a truly inclusive church community.

From the UK Church's complicity in the transatlantic slave trade to the whitewashing of Christianity throughout history, the Church has a lot to answer for when it comes to race relations. Christianity has been dubbed the white man's religion, yet the Bible speaks of an impartial God and shows us a diverse body of believers.__It's time for the Church to start talking about race.__

Ben Lindsay offers eye-opening insights into the black religious experience, challenging the status quo in white majority churches. Filled with examples from real-life stories, including his own, and insightful questions, this book offers a comprehensive analysis of race relations in the Church in the UK and shows us how we can work together to create a truly inclusive church community.

A clear and compelling discussion of how the church can better reach, support and champion black congregation members

Rosemary Fletcher

I have not read it yet. i purchased it for our Circuit Theological Book Group- hence 12 copies but 5 stars for the service of getting it to me quickly

I am sure it will be very interesting

Liz Thatcher

This is the book I didn’t think I needed to read. Pearls of insight and wisdom which has changed my thoughts, attitudes, language and behaviours, despite sincerely thinking all was okay. Ben’s experiences are enough, but there is so much more.

David Archer

I wanted to be helped to see the current issues from someone who knew all about them, and was not disappointed. Informed, passionate, and a clear biblical perspective. A disturbing and challenging read, with helpful pointers at the end of each chapter for reflection leading to action.

Very helpful read

Christiana .

An easy to read, clear and a sometimes moving introduction for people who are keen to live out diversity in their church family.

Timely and very helpful in understanding the black experience

We Need To Talk About Race

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